What is Chance to Dance©?

Chance to Dance© is an established arts program that gives children in grades four through six a unique hands-on experience with the arts. From October through May children participate in weekly dance classes held at their schools during school hours. These classes are taught by specially trained professional dance teachers and are accompanied by a live musician. The program concludes with a full-scale dance performace in May at a large, well-known performing arts venue

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Why a dance program?

Chance to Dance© was founded in 1986 on the belief that the arts are an integral part of a child's education and that children should have the opportunity to actively experience the arts. Dance is an excellent medium to provide this opportunity for the needs of a dance program are minimal: a space large enough for dancing, a teacher and a musical accompanist.

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Who is participating?

The founding chapter's 2002-2003 program in Rhode Island will involve over 1750 children in 30 classes at 29 schools across the state, with participation by schools from a diverse collection of towns and cities. In Rhode Island, participating schools are located in Barrington, Bristol, Warren, East Providence, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Peace Dale, Providence and Warwick.

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Who are the children who participate?

Children are invited to take part in the program regardless of previous training, innate ability or physical condition. No special clothes or equipment are needed, thereby making the program accessible to all children regardless of their economic situation. While schools must limit the size of the class, a child only needs to demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard in order to hold his or her place in the class.

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Is there a cost for children to participate?

Each school pays a set fee per class for the year-long program. Some schools include Chance to Dance© in their school budget, others pay this fee by seeking PTA support and parent contributions or by holding fundraising sales. School fees, however, only partially cover the cost of pacing the program in a school for a year - Chance to Dance© relies on grants and private donations to cover the remaining costs of the program.

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What is a Chance to Dance© class like?

Classes are conducted by trained professionals in a non-threatening and non-competetive atmosphere that allows children to develop their own unique abilities and talents as they work towards an end of the year production. This final performance features two different educational themes that the children are asked to research. The children work with their dance teacher to translate their findings into movements that are put together to create two unique dances. The children's research and ideas also provide the basis for a script that brings the entire production together.

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Who are the SLEEQuE FEET?

Super-dedicated children from each class are selected mid-year to become SLEEQuE FEET. The representative group of Chance to Dance© students meets for extra classes to learn additional (and more complicated) dances that they perform at the final production and other events around the state to which Chance to Dance© is invited.

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What role does the program play in a child's education?

The program has been shown to increase self-esteem and confidence, help develop coordination and motor skills, and create and develop an appreciation for dance, music and other art forms. Teachers and parents praise the program for its ability to raise the confidence and aspirations of young people by helping them learn and showing them different approaches to learning.

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What are the final performances like?

For the Rhode Island chapter of Chance to Dance©, the final performances take place at the Providence Performing Arts Center, and each show features an average of 650 children dancing to the thrilling rhythmic sounds of a live band. Every child participates in at least two dances on the day that their school is scheduled to perform. The final performance is an energy-charged event that neither the children nor their audience of family, friends and fellow students will soon forget!

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Who sponsors Chance to Dance©?

Chance to Dance© is a cooperative effort of Dance Alliance of Rhode Island/Chance to Dance, Inc., the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and participating schools. VSA/ arts RI, Target and MetLife Foundation also assist financially. A non-profit organization, Chance to Dance© seeks financial support from businesses, corporations, foundations and individual donors.

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Who runs the program?

Now in its seventeenth year, Chance to Dance© is run by a dedicated staff of arts educators who also work professionally as dancers, dance teachers and musicians. They are assisted throughout the year by an equally dedicated group of teachers, school staff and parents who volunteer their time.

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